Ferny Knap Coppice

Wood, Forest in Dorset

England

Ferny Knap Coppice

Field, West Pulham The nightmare that is footpath N49 20 is drawing to a close. Currently my nomination for Dorset's worst right of way (of those I've completed), and there's tough competition. Visible in the centre is the roof of Chaselands.
Field, West Pulham Credit: Derek Harper

Ferny Knap Coppice is a picturesque woodland located in the county of Dorset, England. Situated near the village of East Stoke, this ancient forest covers an area of approximately 50 hectares. It is known for its diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers.

The woodland is primarily composed of native broadleaf trees, including oak, beech, and ash. These tall, majestic trees create a dense canopy that provides shade and shelter for a variety of smaller plants and animals. The forest floor is carpeted with a rich layer of ferns and wildflowers, adding to the area's natural beauty.

Ferny Knap Coppice is home to a thriving wildlife population. Visitors may spot deer, badgers, foxes, and a multitude of bird species, such as woodpeckers, owls, and songbirds. The forest's tranquil atmosphere and abundance of natural resources also attract a wide range of insects, including butterflies and bees.

The woodland offers several well-maintained trails and footpaths, allowing visitors to explore its enchanting surroundings. These paths lead to stunning viewpoints, hidden clearings, and ancient trees that have stood for centuries. Additionally, Ferny Knap Coppice is part of a larger network of nature reserves, offering visitors the opportunity to engage in longer hikes and discover even more of Dorset's natural wonders.

Overall, Ferny Knap Coppice is a captivating woodland that showcases the beauty and diversity of nature in Dorset. Its ancient trees, vibrant flora, and abundant wildlife make it a must-visit destination for those seeking a peaceful escape in the heart of the English countryside.

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Ferny Knap Coppice Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.874042/-2.4448236 or Grid Reference ST6808. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Field, West Pulham The nightmare that is footpath N49 20 is drawing to a close. Currently my nomination for Dorset's worst right of way (of those I've completed), and there's tough competition. Visible in the centre is the roof of Chaselands.
Field, West Pulham
The nightmare that is footpath N49 20 is drawing to a close. Currently my nomination for Dorset's worst right of way (of those I've completed), and there's tough competition. Visible in the centre is the roof of Chaselands.
B3143 south of Pulham The B road crosses a slight dip on its way towards Duntish. The farm is Towns End Farm. The wood on the right is Brickkiln Coppice.
B3143 south of Pulham
The B road crosses a slight dip on its way towards Duntish. The farm is Towns End Farm. The wood on the right is Brickkiln Coppice.
Cottage, Sandhills Tess Cottage is opposite the junction of Holwell Drove (foreground) with Stock Hill Lane. Presumably named as a whimsical reference to Hardy's famous character who spent time in the Blackmore Vale, which we are in.
Cottage, Sandhills
Tess Cottage is opposite the junction of Holwell Drove (foreground) with Stock Hill Lane. Presumably named as a whimsical reference to Hardy's famous character who spent time in the Blackmore Vale, which we are in.
Stock Hill Lane Passing Rails Farm. To the right of the telegraph pole is Magog Farm.
Stock Hill Lane
Passing Rails Farm. To the right of the telegraph pole is Magog Farm.
Damaged stile near Pulham The stile on footpath N49 20 glimpsed from the other side at <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7560802">ST6908 : Overgrown stile near Pulham</a>. A time-consuming stretch of footpath.
Damaged stile near Pulham
The stile on footpath N49 20 glimpsed from the other side at ST6908 : Overgrown stile near Pulham. A time-consuming stretch of footpath.
Stile near Pulham Compared to the last stile <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7560806">ST7008 : Damaged stile near Pulham</a>, this looks fine, but beyond it the course of footpath N49 20 is through absolutely impenetrable woodland, even if daylight can be seen on the far side of the field boundary. I've no intention of retracing my steps given the difficulty of doing so, so will have to look for another route.
Stile near Pulham
Compared to the last stile ST7008 : Damaged stile near Pulham, this looks fine, but beyond it the course of footpath N49 20 is through absolutely impenetrable woodland, even if daylight can be seen on the far side of the field boundary. I've no intention of retracing my steps given the difficulty of doing so, so will have to look for another route.
Farm, Pulham Taken while trying to find alternative route for footpath N49 20 after the impossibility of using <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7560808">ST7008 : Stile near Pulham</a>. The farm is unnamed on maps.
Farm, Pulham
Taken while trying to find alternative route for footpath N49 20 after the impossibility of using ST7008 : Stile near Pulham. The farm is unnamed on maps.
House at Pulham Chaselands also appears in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7180955">ST7008 : Field, West Pulham</a>. Needless to say the footpath I was trying to follow has no exit onto the road where mapped; I took the trouble to search diligently on both sides of the hedge. So I have to leave this meadow via the entrance driveway to the house. Footpath N49 20 is 478 metres long (<span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.rowmaps.com/showmap.php?place=West%20Pulham&map=BingOS&lat=50.8723&lon=2.4236&lonew=W" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.rowmaps.com/showmap.php?place=West%20Pulham&map=BingOS&lat=50.8723&lon=2.4236&lonew=W">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> ) and has around four impassable stiles or crossing places, which could easily be a record, at around 1 per 120 metres. It took me 18 minutes to get from one end to the other.
House at Pulham
Chaselands also appears in ST7008 : Field, West Pulham. Needless to say the footpath I was trying to follow has no exit onto the road where mapped; I took the trouble to search diligently on both sides of the hedge. So I have to leave this meadow via the entrance driveway to the house. Footpath N49 20 is 478 metres long (LinkExternal link ) and has around four impassable stiles or crossing places, which could easily be a record, at around 1 per 120 metres. It took me 18 minutes to get from one end to the other.
Grass field by the B3143 On the right of the stretch of road shown in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7180981">ST7007 : B3143 south of Pulham</a>.
Grass field by the B3143
On the right of the stretch of road shown in ST7007 : B3143 south of Pulham.
Towards Old Lipgate Farm A view on the other side of the B3143 from <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7561251">ST7007 : Grass field by the B3143</a>.
Towards Old Lipgate Farm
A view on the other side of the B3143 from ST7007 : Grass field by the B3143.
Missing footpath, Pulham This shows the section of the B3143 where footpath N49 20 is mapped as beginning. I walked along it, very carefully looking for any sign of a path, but in vain. See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7561245">ST7008 : House at Pulham</a>, <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7560808">ST7008 : Stile near Pulham</a>, <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7560806">ST7008 : Damaged stile near Pulham</a> and <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7560802">ST6908 : Overgrown stile near Pulham</a> for more information on this disgracefully-maintained path.
Missing footpath, Pulham
This shows the section of the B3143 where footpath N49 20 is mapped as beginning. I walked along it, very carefully looking for any sign of a path, but in vain. See ST7008 : House at Pulham, ST7008 : Stile near Pulham, ST7008 : Damaged stile near Pulham and ST6908 : Overgrown stile near Pulham for more information on this disgracefully-maintained path.
B3143 at Pulham Business Park The board lists seven enterprises in the park's four buildings.
B3143 at Pulham Business Park
The board lists seven enterprises in the park's four buildings.
Field, Pulham Pulham Business Park is on the other side of the trees on the left.
Field, Pulham
Pulham Business Park is on the other side of the trees on the left.
Houses at Pulham Alongside the B3143.
Houses at Pulham
Alongside the B3143.
Pulham Not the prettiest of Dorset villages. The B3143 on the right passes through; the turning on the left is Halsey Green. The church is isolated on a side road off to the east <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/ST7108?centi=ST711085" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/ST7108?centi=ST711085">Link</a> .
Pulham
Not the prettiest of Dorset villages. The B3143 on the right passes through; the turning on the left is Halsey Green. The church is isolated on a side road off to the east Link .
The Halsey Arms, Pulham The pub is set back from the B3143 (foreground).
The Halsey Arms, Pulham
The pub is set back from the B3143 (foreground).
Holwell Drove The unfenced symbol comes into play on maps here, as the western end of the road has the very wide verges characteristic of drove roads.
Holwell Drove
The unfenced symbol comes into play on maps here, as the western end of the road has the very wide verges characteristic of drove roads.
Holwell Drove The former drove road passes the entrance gateway to the Manor House, glimpsed at <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7184701">ST6810 : Holwell Manor House</a>
Holwell Drove
The former drove road passes the entrance gateway to the Manor House, glimpsed at ST6810 : Holwell Manor House
Show me another place!

Ferny Knap Coppice is located at Grid Ref: ST6808 (Lat: 50.874042, Lng: -2.4448236)

Unitary Authority: Dorset

Police Authority: Dorset

What 3 Words

///elsewhere.wiser.magnitude. Near Sherborne, Dorset

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Material: wood
Power: pole
Source: bing
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Lat/Long: 50.8741531/-2.4409247
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Source: bing
Lat/Long: 50.8752462/-2.4399426
Material: wood
Poles: bipole
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Source: bing
Lat/Long: 50.8761374/-2.4391333
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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